Historically, multiple generations of families lived much differently than we do now. If extended families didn’t already live together, they often made it a habit to gather for dinner once a week. Typically, the eldest generation hosted the gathering, and the afternoon or evening was spent eating, chatting, and even playing cards or charades.
These days, family units live separately, and the busyness of modern life may make once-a-week dinners difficult. Still, some families have found that sharing a once-a-year or every-other-year vacation together is a fantastic way to create memories and sustain bonds.
My family took its first multi-generation trip in 2005 when we visited Gulf Shores, Alabama. My mother-in-law was newly widowed, so we invited her to come to the beach with my husband, our toddler daughter, my parents, my brother, his wife, and my 6-month-old nephew. We enjoyed ourselves so much that we began to periodically plan multiple-generation vacations, adding in each new child that came along. Eventually, our vacation party numbered 13 people. Over the years, we’ve visited the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee; Traverse City and the Upper Peninsula in Michigan; Red River Gorge and Land Between the Lakes in Kentucky; and Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.
So how does one, or should one, plan a multi-generation trip? And why?
The easiest answer might simply be because there are so many wonderful places in the world to explore — and doing it together can create special memories. In 2019, Jennie Currin, her husband Matt, their two children (ages 11 and 8 at the time), her parents, and her brother went to Paris, France. Jennie lived in Paris during graduate school and says she had been back several times, but never with a group.
“My family always does a multigenerational trip to the beach together (we’ve been going to the same place, same house, since I was 10), and my dad and I had been casually talking about doing a trip somewhere over Christmas break,” Jennie says. “He brought it up again, I threw out Paris, and we started to run with it.” That trip became a celebratory adventure to commemorate various milestones: Jennie’s 40th birthday, her dad’s 70th birthday, her and Matt’s 15th wedding anniversary, and her parents’ 45th.
Dealing With The Cost
Even if the decision of where to go is relatively easy, the discussion of how to budget for it can be complicated. Sharonda O’Bannon-Morton’s extended multi-generation family of 14 has made it a habit to go on trips together, and they’ve been all over, including Canada, Hawaii, California, and a cruise to Cozumel. As part of the planning, her family has learned the importance of abiding by the two Rs: reality and respect.
The four families that make up the O’Bannon vacation group have their own unique financial situations. “Of course, I’m the poorest one, being the teacher,” Sharonda says with a laugh. “But they’re very respectful of that.” When they first began traveling together, family members sometimes offered Sharonda assistance, but that caused her embarrassment. “Sometimes I don’t want [them] to help me. Really, I’ve got a budget,” she says. Honest conversations helped everyone get on the same page to ensure feelings weren’t hurt. After selecting a destination and setting a budget comes the nitty-gritty planning of activities and accommodations, which is the stage where personalities, interests, health, and mobility are really taken into account. While togetherness is the goal of a multigenerational trip, it may save everyone’s sanity to break into smaller groups periodically so that everyone gets to see and do things they like.
As Jennie notes, “Most kids tire of museums and want something fun and active; adults might be more interested in sightseeing and don’t want the entire vacation dictated by children.” There may be some activities that everyone does together, while others are based on interests or activity level, which can also help family units maintain their respective budgets. “We did things together that were budget-friendly, but then people went off on their own [to do more expensive activities],” Sharonda says.
When Sharonda’s family traveled to Hawaii, one of their all-time favorite trips, they planned their visit around King Kalakaua’s birthday celebration, which meant there were free events and activities so that everyone could find something to enjoy without breaking anyone’s bank.
Why It’s Worth It
While it can be complicated to plan a trip for so many people, the benefits of multigenerational travel are many. Sarah Segree, her siblings, and their families have gone on many vacations with their parents over the years, including heading out west to Las Vegas, Nevada, this past spring. “Traveling with family bonds us with shared experiences and quality time together,” she says. “My parents enjoy the time with their adult children and grandchildren.” Sarah’s mother, Marilyn James, adds, “The value that traveling with family adds is immeasurable. Seeing the cousins develop close relationships is priceless.”
For most people who do multigenerational vacations, the best part isn’t any one activity, but rather the entire experience of seeing a new place with loved ones. “The highlights [of Paris] were really the daily routines we fell into and the unexpected experiences we had,” Jennie says. “Matt is a morning person, so he would go to his favorite boulangerie/patisserie to get us breakfast and make coffee. There was a Cuban restaurant and bar across the street that we would frequent every night. My dad and I went to a specialty food market for pâté, cheese, bread, and wine almost every night.”
The rewards of traveling with multiple generations can make it a little addictive. My own family is embarking on yet another multigenerational trip this summer to Wisconsin where we plan to eat cheese, drink beer, explore the beauty of Door County, and make memories we will talk about for years to come.
By Carrie Vittitoe | Photos submitted
P.S. Take The Grandkids Deep Into The Heart Of Hart County For Fun And Adventure
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